Mount Royal Hotel Review: A Cozy and Historic Hotel in Banff Downtown
The Mount Royal Hotel in Banff, Canada, is one of the best places to stay and I’d argue the best hotel in Banff downtown. The property is operated by Pursuit, a hospitality company that also manages iconic experiences around the world like the Banff Gondola, FlyOver Las Vegas, and even Sky Lagoon in Iceland! All this to say, they know what they’re doing.
In this comprehensive hotel review, I’ll share my experience staying at Mount Royal Hotel in downtown Banff including everything you need to know before booking your stay including amenities, parking info, the location, what to expect with your room, and more helpful and honest recollections of this cozy and historic hotel.
Where is it?
The address is 138 Banff Avenue, on the corner of Banff Ave. and Caribou St.
Quite simply, the Mount Royal Hotel is smack dab in the center of downtown Banff amidst all the action including the best restaurants, coffee shops, shopping, and of course, near the stunning center view of Cascade Mountain right down Banff Ave.
How to get to the Mount Royal Hotel
Because of its central location, many grand transportation shuttles that travel to and from Calgary (where you fly into to visit Banff) will pick up and drop off at the hotel directly. You can book shuttles like the Brewster Shuttle or the Banff Airporter.
They also have a ski shuttle to the surrounding ski resorts like Sunshine and in the summer, Banff’s public transportation, Roam Transit, takes guests to and from Lake Louise.
You can also drive there yourself by renting a car from YYC airport. If you have time, spend a day in Calgary to see some of the sights there like the Devonian Gardens!
What parking is available and how much does it cost?
Mount Royal Hotel has an uncovered outdoor parking lot behind it with plenty of spaces to accommodate hotel guests. They even have overflow parking, so no worries on being unable to find a spot. Still, it is first come first serve.
Parking is only $5 per night.
Mount Royal Hotel History
The founding of Banff and their tourism coincides with the Mount Royal Hotel as it was one of the very first hotels in Banff, originally called the Banff Hotel.
It opened in 1908 and really sprung into business in 1912 when it was purchased and expanded by Jim Brewster, a member of one of the historic pioneering families in the city.
The hotel continued to expand through the next several decades until a fire in 1967 destroyed the oldest wing of the hotel (no lives were lost, thankfully).
That didn’t deter them and in fact expansions and renovations continued. By the 1990s, the hotel reached its current size and exterior.
A rooftop fire in 2016 paused operations (again, no one was harmed), but the hotel bounced back and is one of the nicest, most modern historic hotels in Banff’s downtown to date!
When you stay at the Mount Royal Hotel, you’ll see many odes to their history in the design and elements throughout the hotel. For example, each wing of the hotel is a different color and correlates to a different era of expansion. Additionally, you can see a mini museum about the fires to learn more about them.
First Impressions
Lobby
While the lobby is small, it’s furnished beautifully and quite cozy.
The fireplace makes you want to cuddle up on the couches with some hot cocoa.
There are two elevators, fresh water (which helps with the altitude), and access to Brazen, the fabulous on-site restaurant…but more on that in a second.
The lobby can be accessed from behind, where the parking lot is, or it has direct street access to Banff Ave., which is perfect for a night out on the town!
Food and Drink
Brazen
Brazen is the on-site restaurant that continues the Mount Royal Hotel’s homage to their history and the pioneers responsible for Banff’s successful tourism. The menu literally has historic photos of Banff mavericks and tidbits about each one.
They serve brunch and dinner where the menu changes seasonally. I visited at the tail end of winter and had some of the most amazing and uniquely crafted items.
The most memorable dishes were the ginger beef, which was doused in enflamed ginger syrup, mac and brie, a double cream brie mac and cheese, and the crème brûlée for dessert, which was plated in an ashtray style dish with chocolate “cigarettes” and hazelnut powder for the ash.
I also had the chance to try their brunch and loved the unique PB&J French toast!
While some hotel restaurants can be stuffy with subpar food, this one was the exact opposite. I’d recommend Brazen even if you weren’t a hotel guest! It’s simply one of the best restaurants in Banff!
Cascade Lounge
In the evening from 4 – 10 pm, enjoy a drink and small shareable plates at Cascade Lounge, located on the top floor near the rooftop jacuzzis.
The views from Cascade Lounge are absolutely incredible with 270-degree views of the surrounding mountains and downtown Banff. You can easily spot Cascade Mountain, Sulphur Mountain, and many distant peaks!
For food options, there are two share plates – one with nuts and olives and another that is a full charcuterie board.
While there is not a full-service bar with taps, there are several options for cans of local beer including some from Canmore Brewing Company, plus ready to drink craft cocktails from Park Distillery (not even a block away), and wine options.
To save a bit on prices, be sure to visit during their happy hour from 5 – 7 pm where the nuts and olive plate and a few drinks are a bit cheaper.
Finally, you’ll also find several board games to keep you occupied while you attempt to peel your eyes from the mountain views.
Additional Food and Drink
While there are no other restaurants or bars on site, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that the hotel provides complimentary local coffee and tea daily in their kitchenette for hotel guests on the second-floor landing.
They have Jolene’s tea, which is a local teahouse owned by a descendent of Jim Brewster! As a self-proclaimed tea snob, I’m happy to report, their tea is phenomenal! I even brought some home!
Amenities
Rooftop Jacuzzis
One thing I absolutely loved about Banff was the availability of rooftop jacuzzis.
They’re absolutely perfect to cap off your wintery day in Banff (or anytime really) because not only do you get to relax in the hot jets, but you get to enjoy the mountain views.
It’s honestly hard to describe how incredible the views in Banff are, but just know that getting to enjoy them from a jacuzzi is such a bonus.
There is no swimming pool, however, there are complementary robes in your room, towels for the jacuzzi in the lounge (adjacent to the hot tubs), and clean restroom and shower facilities by the hot tubs.
Internet
WiFi is free during your stay. As for the speed, I had no trouble browsing the web and using streaming services.
Additional Goodies
I mentioned that the Mount Royal Hotel has a mini museum dedicated to their role in Banff’s tourism as well as their history including the fires. This is such a unique feature and really pays tribute to their role as a historical icon in Banff.
See historic photos, brochures, and even a pair of wooden skis!
Around the corner, you’ll also find their library with books that you can read during your stay!
Room Review
While it may appear like a simple room at first glance, the little touches made my room truly stand out!
I was in a 2 queen room facing Banff Ave. The headboards on each bed were adorned with quilts that pay tribute to the fact that hotel is like a quilt with many pieces added over time – an homage to the many additions.
White noise machines and ear plugs are in every room because with the fabulous location downtown, you also get the not-so-fabulous noise. I absolutely loved this touch as an incredibly light sleeper!
The room is equipped with an easy-to-use modern air conditioning and heating unit, low flow toilet to remain environmentally conscious, a wardrobe, flat-screen TV, and table and chairs.
I slept so soundly in this hotel given all the extra amenities provided to ensure that I did. The temperature was perfect and easily controlled, and the sound management was appreciated.
Who this hotel is best for
Mount Royal Hotel is best for couples, solo travelers, and friends. It’s an upscale, modern place to stay in Banff downtown near all the best things to do! It’s chic, affordable, and has a stellar location!
The reason it’s not the best for families or larger groups is that the rooms are on the small side when it comes to accommodating big groups. They have limited number of junior suites with living spaces, so it can be tricky to ensure you’ll have enough room.
How much it costs to stay at Mount Royal Hotel
Given its location in Banff National Park, which is typically more expensive than say Canmore outside the park, the Mount Royal Hotel is pretty budget to mid-range in terms of price.
Rooms start at $101 USD per night and increase based on dates and room types.
Brazen may seem pricey with entrees around $25 USD, but that’s typically for Banff. Food is definitely an expense in this city, so be sure to add it into your travel budget.
Quick facts:
- No pets allowed.
- Fully accessible including parking lots and elevators. Although, no hot tub lift that I observed.
- Breakfast is extra unless a package was purchased, coffee and tea are complimentary.
- No smoking.
Thank you to Pursuit for hosting me at the Mount Royal Hotel and in Banff. As always, all opinions are my own.
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